Snap fastener attached clip member



Feb. 7, 1933. c. L. HA l.LL- 8 4 SNAP FAsTENER ATTAcHE'mcLIP MEMBER Filed April 27, 1931 Patented Feb. 7, 1,933

UNITED s'ra'ras PATENT OFFICE CHARLES L. HALL, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB TO UNITED-CARR FAET'ENEB CORPORATION, OF CAKBBIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- BETTS SNAP FASTENEB ATTACHED CLIP MEMBER Application illcd April 27, 1831. Serial No. 583,038.

Figure 1, the clip member being shown in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the clip member F i 4 is a bottom plan view of the clip mem r;,and

Fig. 5 is a sectionof the clip device taken on the line'55 of Fig. 3.

My improved clip devlce is particularly,

h t l l f l in connection thong no em uslve use u ihg, I have shown the snap fastening means with securing conductor members, such as gasoline pipes, air pipes and electric wires, to structures such as automobile bodies and frames.

In the particular embodiment of my invention selected for illustration by the drawing I have shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a channel iron 1 of a motor vehicle frame, or the like, in the" hollow of which I have shown a gasoline pipe 2-and an air pipe. 3 secured in position by means of my improved clip-like device. The

asoline pipe 2 is used to convey gasoline om the asoline storage tank (not shown) to the car uretor (not shown) and the air pipe 3 is used in connection with the operation of a vacuum operated windshield cleaner, as will be well understood.

By using fastening devices adapted to be detachably secured to the frame structure, as by snap fastener elements, I have found that the conductor members may be easily attached and removed. The clamping means of the,

fastening devices may be variously constructed, but I have shown a device wherein the device is made from a minimum of mate-' rial.

The fastening device shown in the draw ing comprises a clip-like member having a clips-portion formed by bending a strip of met to form two fingers 4 and 5. Each finger is connected at one end to theother finger while the other ends remain free to per gait expansion and contraction when a pipe 15 em the ngers. The shape of each finger may vary so that different sized pipes may be accommodated. Furthermore, one or both of the fingers 4 and 5 are providedwith portions to fit the contour of the conductor member if it is desirable to so. construct the devices.

The clip device (Fi ure 1) has its finger 4 so shaped and s aced rom the finger 5 that it will engage hot the small air pipe 3 and the relatively larger gasoline pipe 2 and the finr 5 is slightly curved longltudinally thereto cooperate with the finger 4; and hold tli e pipes 2 and, 3 securely in position.

Any suitable snap fastening means may be used to secure the clip members to the suporting structure. However, in the drawinserted between or withdrawn fromas being in the form of a stud extending from wall surrounding the aperture 6 they may move toward each other to snap into the aperture in the usual manner. In order to save material, the members 77 (Figs. 4 and 5) are cut from the material inwardly from the free end so that they are located about mid- 7 way between the ends of the finger 5. The

slits 8, 9 and 10 extend toward but not to the free end of the finger 5 and thereby leave'the periphery of the finger in a smooth uninterrupted edge. Thus the devices are easier to handle and do not readily become entangled with one another during shipment.

My invention is decidedly useful because it can be attached and removed very readily, thereby making it less expensive to install wires, pipes and the like in motor vehicles. No riveting or bolting of clips into place is necessary and furthermore the conductors may in some instances be removed from a slits 8, 9 and 10 at that side of the name to this specification.

clip, or clips, without removing the clip, or

clips, from the? frame structure. Furthermore, the clip members are simple and inexpensive to manufacture and are reduced to a minimum as to amount of material needed to construct them. 7

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited thereby, because the scope of m invention is best defined by the following c aims.

I claim:

1. A clip device formed from a single piece of sheet metal bent to form a pair of fingers between which may be engaged a member to be held in place by said clip device and a pair of thin, edgewisely movable socket-engaging portions formed from material entirely between the ends of the said pair of fingers for the purposes described.

2. A clip device formed from a single piece of sheet metal bent to form a pair of fingers between which may be engaged a member to be held in place by said clip device and a pair of thin edgewisely movablesocket-engaging portions formed from material entirely between the ends of the said pair of fingers, said ocket-engaging portions extending from one of said fingers and said finger having a slit formed therein and extending only part way between the said portions and the free end of 4 said finger to permit yielding movement of said fingers.

i 3. A clip device formed from a single piece. of sheet metal bent into a U-shaped structure.

having two fingers 4 and 5 for holding a condnit between them, a pair of socket-engaging portions 7--7 pressed from one of said fingers 5' and extending therefrom normal to the plane thereof, said finger 5 being divided by ortions 77 toward the free end of said nger-to permit yielding of said portions and said portions 7-7 being formedfrom the material of said finger 5 at that side opposite the slits.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my CHARLES L. HALL. 

